Portrait of Catharina Pottey, Sister of Willem and Sara Pottey 1661 - 1693

Nicolaes Maes painted this oil-on-canvas portrait of Catharina Pottey in the Netherlands, most likely in the 1660s. Maes was a popular portraitist. Here, he shows the sitter in an imagined landscape that serves to elevate her status. This artwork has a relationship to the Dutch Golden Age, a period in which the Netherlands experienced significant economic and cultural growth. The rise of a wealthy merchant class created a demand for art, including portraiture. This new class used art to affirm its social position. So while the formats were traditional, the patrons were often newly wealthy. We can read the image for details about the sitter. Her dress and jewelry indicate she comes from a well-to-do family. The roses are an attribute of love and beauty. By researching the Pottey family, along with the archives of Dutch art institutions, we can learn more about the individuals represented and the social conditions that made this portrait possible.